Nick joined us for our family trip in 2010 & 2005 but Marie hasn't gone for quite a long time!!! So since they couldn't join us for our December trip, I thought it was only fair to treat them to this trip!

So the three of us will be flying from Portland, Oregon to the Santa Ana Airport on Wednesday, February 27 and going home either Sunday, March 3 or Monday, March 4......depending on flight costs. Right now staying over Sunday night will save us quite a bit but we'll see what it looks like when I actually have the money to purchase our tickets.

I've been debating on whether to stay on property or HoJo's but Nick said the HoJo's would be fine since he didn't plan on spending a ton of time in the room. So I'll be booking that soon.

This will be my 3rd trip with the Dis Diva's. This is a wonderful group of ladies that I've made some life long friends from. The Diva's go this time of year every year. Here are a couple pics from my first 2 years.

The group continues to get bigger & bigger and this year I believe we're up to 70 ladies!!

There are different big events like the Meet-n-Greet party & the Scavenger Hunt. There are group rides & group photos. Then you can join in on group meals.

I've been on the Meet-n-Greet committee for all 3 of the years I've attended. I'm usually in charge of the name tags, snack bags & snack table. This year I'm pretty much just doing the snack table. Here's some pics of the snack table the last 2 trips.

Here's a few more pics of Nick & Marie. We'll be celebrating their engagement (even though they got engaged a long while ago). Marie wanted to finish getting her Master's before setting a date for a wedding. Well she got her degree and now the wedding has been set for September 7, 2013!!! It will be fun spending time with them and bonding with Marie outside the chaos of our normal home life!!!!

I will be following along..........I love your reports! I so wish I didn't live all the way over here in Australia as the Dis Diva's trips make me envious every year! I do enjoy hearing all about them though and the pictures you posted are simply gorgeous!

I will be following along..........I love your reports! I so wish I didn't live all the way over here in Australia as the Dis Diva's trips make me envious every year! I do enjoy hearing all about them though and the pictures you posted are simply gorgeous!

Subbing in right now!!!

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Welcome!!! I'm so glad you'll be following along!! Maybe one of these years you can join us. I know you're far, far away......but maybe the timing of one of your trips will coincide!!

I booked our hotel today.....after debating the pros & cons of staying onsite vs off property, I ended up going with a comfortable, cheaper option off property. We are booked for the HoJo, Disney View/Premium Room!!! We stayed in these rooms in 2010 & loved it!! We had nice & large rooms, comfortable beds, small balcony & AWESOME view!! We didn't seem to mind the walk to the gates (some people complain that it's too far....but with 4 kids we were able to do the walk in about 8 minutes).

The grounds are beautiful with floral, foliage and fountains.

There's a pool towards the back and then a water play area up by the office.

As you enter the room, the bathroom & separate sink will be off to one side.

There will also be a huge closet, a small fridge, small microwave & a coffee maker.

The room has 2 queen beds.......very comfortable, the~ I can't wait to spread out & hog the whole thing with fluffy pillows comfortable!!

The thing we all noticed was the amount of counter (well actually dresser top) space & drawers to store stuff during our stay!!

The room truly is bigger than the "normal" rooms. In our room, on top of what you see......we had 2 cribs (not full sized but also not the portable type) & 2 jogging strollers and we still could easily walk around the room.

There's an arcade downstairs of Building 1 (which is the one we're in) and a pretty decent gift shop.

If you are an Annual Passholder for Disneyland, you can get a 20% room discount and a 10% discount in the gift shop.

But with all those wonderful reasons to stay.......this is the selling point for me!!! THE VIEW!!!

We were able to sit out on the balcony and watch fireworks, see some of the high water sprays & lighting coming off WoC and the fireworks during Fantasmic. Plus seeing the park & the monorail pass by across the street!!

Hooray were staying at the HoJo. I love this hotel. It was very nice to use as a "getaway" from the parks (if needed) and still feel like you are a part of the parks. I did enjoy the fireworks would be so close, you can feel the booms.

Hooray were staying at the HoJo. I love this hotel. It was very nice to use as a "getaway" from the parks (if needed) and still feel like you are a part of the parks. I did enjoy the fireworks would be so close, you can feel the booms.

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I enjoyed our morning strolls to the park.....great way to wake up!! Hopefully our room actually has a view of the fireworks. I know my room was great, but you boys had your view blocked by trees. Of course I don't know have much firework watching we'll be doing from our room unless the weather is too cold/or misty.

Laurie, I am excited you are starting a new report! Plus, I get to meet you all soon at the Diva meet

So Nick will be your first child to get married, right? What an exciting event to look forward to. Nick and Marie are a cute couple. . Well you know if Marie is going to be part of your family she has to catch the Disney bug. I bet that will be an easy bug to catch

Laurie, I am excited you are starting a new report! Plus, I get to meet you all soon at the Diva meet

So Nick will be your first child to get married, right? What an exciting event to look forward to. Nick and Marie are a cute couple. . Well you know if Marie is going to be part of your family she has to catch the Disney bug. I bet that will be an easy bug to catch

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Welcome Pam!!! Glad you're along for the ride!! I'm looking forward to meeting you!! I always love putting a face with people I'm friends with on the Dis & FB!!!

This wedding has been a long time coming. Even with me suggesting they get married while she was in school for tax purposes....... but alas that didn't happen. I'm excited for them (and officially making Marie a part of our family!!)

Marie (and Nick) are both fans of the Nightmare Before Christmas.....so Christmas presents this year was easy to get while we were on vacation in December!!

I think Marie IS a fan of Disney.....it just has been a while since she's been able to go.